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Another CA bikepacking trip report


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Home Forums Campfire Member Trip Reports Another CA bikepacking trip report

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  • #1289982
    Amy Lauterbach
    BPL Member

    @drongobird

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    I read Dylan's trip report yesterday, and it kick-started me to get around to posting a report of a bike trip we took that shared a little of his route.
    (Dylan's report is here http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=62505)

    A couple years ago, we wanted to visit the Carrizo Plain National Monument during wildflower season, so we pieced together a 450 mile dirt and quiet-pavement bike route loop. It was a great ride, and logistics were easy because it is a loop. It includes a few VERY short carry/hike-a-bike sections and a few miles that are gently technical. It's actually mostly paved, but nearly all the paved roads are very quiet. It passes three towns and a few isolated rural cafes. In my mind, the route is worth riding only when the Carrizo Plain is in full bloom (especially after a wet winter). Carrizo Plain in full bloom is a sight to behold, some claim it's perhaps the best wildflower show in the U.S. Bloom occurs in March-May, but exact timing depends on the timing of the winter rains.

    Highlights of the trip include the Carrizo Plain, the closed-to-traffic road on the eastern border of the Ventana Wilderness in Los Padres National Forest, the very beautiful Oak Savannah ranch lands between Carrizo and Coalinga and then from Coalinga to Soledad, and the Valley Oak Savannah in Fort Hunter Ligget.

    Link to annotated Photo Show. The first photo in the SmugMug album shows the route, and includes links to the gpx/kml files and wildflower info. (We were using panniers; we have since purchased bags from Carousel and Revelate that will let us ride without racks on our next trip.)

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    #1878742
    Yuri R
    BPL Member

    @yazon

    The views are gorgeous and it sounds like a fun trip. I haven't been to that area, but it looks great in pictures.

    So you mostly biked through the day? It wasn't too hot?

    #1879211
    Rick Horne
    BPL Member

    @rick778

    Locale: NorCal - South Bay - Campbell

    Great trip report. Really enjoyed the SmugBug Album pictures.

    #3443734
    Amy Lauterbach
    BPL Member

    @drongobird

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    We have published an updated version of this trip report on our website DoingMiles.com. The new report has a better map and extensive details about the route.

    As I write this it is raining in Carrizo Plain National Monument. If there are a few more good storms this winter Carrizo should have a first rate wildflower season in March and April.

    Cheers, Amy and James.

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